Oneida Indian Nation: Dan Snyder’s ‘Living in an Alternate Universe’

Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative, speaks at a press conference after meeting with senior officials of the National Football League about changing the mascot name of the Washington Redskins October 30, 2013 in New York. The Oneida Nation's "Change The Mascot" campaign is pressing the NFL to change the Washington team's name. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative, speaks at a press conference after meeting with senior officials of the National Football League about changing the mascot name of the Washington Redskins October 30, 2013 in New York. The Oneida Nation's 'Change The Mascot' campaign is pressing the NFL to change the Washington team's name. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Credit; STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (CBSDC) – Any time Daniel Snyder comments on the Redskins team name, it seems predestined a representative from the Oneida Indian Nation will respond in kind.

On Tuesday, Snyder told reporters “we understand the issues out there, and we’re not an issue,” furthering that comment by saying “the real issues are real-life issues, real-life needs, and I think it’s time that people focus on reality.”

Oneida Nation head, Ray Halbritter, has issued his response:

“If Dan Snyder thinks it is acceptable for a billionaire to market, promote and profit off of a dictionary defined racial slur, then he’s living in an alternate universe,” Halbritter said. “If he wants to focus on reality, here’s a reality check: the longer he insists on slurring Native Americans, the more damage he will keep doing to Native American communities, and the more he will become synonymous with infamous segregationist George Preston Marshall, who originally gave the team this offensive name.”

The issue, or non-issue, with the Redskins name has endured its ebbs and flows over the years, picking up major steam at the height of the Redskins playoff run in 2012.

Snyder has remained adamant throughout he has no intentions of changing the name.